Bulldozer



F. R. ABEL BULLDOZER March 7, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 25, 1957hum INVENTOR. PM I? HEEL H TTOENE YJ F. R. ABEL BULLDOZER March 7, 19614 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 25, 1957 INVENTOR.

FIN/v Pf BLL F. R, ABEL March 7, 1961 4 sheetsheet 3 Filed July 25, 1957Z3 flrro m F/N/v R L F. R. ABEL BULLDOZER March 7, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4Filed July 25, 195? INVENTOR. F/NN R. A BEL.

flTroeNE Y6 United States Patent BULLDOZER Finn R. Abel, Kirkland,Wash., assiguor to Allied Tractor Equipment Company, Seattle, Wash., acorporation of Washington Filed July 25, 1957, Ser. No. 674,226

2 Claims. (Cl. 37-144) This invention relates to bulldozers, and it hasreference more particularly to improvements in the details ofconstruction and combination of those particular parts, including thepush arms as applied to a bulldozer for operatively supporting the earthmoving blade structure and especially as employed for adjusting it toand for holding it'in its proper position of use.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide abulldozer wherein the earth moving blade structure is operativelysupported by what is herein designated as a front end frame which ishingedly mounted by the push arms; this front end frame being adjustablyfixed to the push arms and by reason of this and the pivotal mounting ofthe push arms, changes in the pitch and also in the tilt of a bladestructure may be easily and readily made.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bladestructure that is equipped with means for rigidly mounting it on thefront end frame, and which may be fixed at a neutral, or straight acrossposition of use, or may be angled to a predetermined degree towardeither side.

Yet another object of the present invention isto provide hinge mountingsfor the front end frame as carried at the forward ends of the push arms,which will permit upward and downward tilting adjustment of said framethus to change the pitch of the blade accordingly, and to provideextendable and retractable connections between the forward ends of thepush arms and the opposite ends of the front end frame whereby angularadjustments may be made between arms and frame that will cause the bladeto be tilted toward one side or the other and then maintained at thedesired angle of tilt.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a bulldozerwherein the above features of improvement are accomplished by the novelconstruction and combination of parts, and without detriment to thedurability and utility of the machine or in any way complicating itsmode of operation.

, Further objects and advantages of the present invention reside in thevarious details of construction and combination of parts and in theirmode of use, as will hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing the above mentioned and other objects of the inventiomlhave provided the improved details of construction, the preferred formsof which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a top, or plan view, of a bulldozer embodying the improvementsof the present invention therein, and showing the blade structure as setin a neutral position of use.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the bulldozer as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the front end frame as mounted on the forwardends of the push arms and showing the blade structure as fixed to thefront end frame in one of its angled positions of use.

Fig. 4 is a view showing in plan the forward end porerence numeral 25.

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tion of the push arms; the front end frame and the blade structure;these parts being shown in disconnected and separated relationship for abetter showing of certain details of their construction.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a front end view of the bulldozer showing the blade structurein a tilted setting.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the strut used for bracing the bladestructure when fixed in an angled position of use.

Fig. 8 is a detail, in plan view, showing the design of the push armsproviding for their use at the outside of the crawler tracks.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The present improvements apply particularly to bulldozers of thosevarious types or makes wherein a tractor is used as the power unit andan earth moving blade structure is mounted by and is disposed forwardlyof the tractor and is adjustably supported for change in its positionsof use. The present improvements reside primarily in the blade structureand in the details of its supporting and adjusting means as used incombination with each other and with the tractor.

In the present instance the power unit employed comprises a tractor ofthe crawler or track laying type having a rigid main frame structure,not herein illustrated in detail but designated generally and in itsentirely by reference numeral 10. This main frame structure is supportedby and between the conventional crawler tracks which, in Fig. 1 aredesignated, respectively, by numerals 12 and 12', and which operateabout track frames, as at 13 in Fig. 2; these frames being mounted attheir rear ends for oscillation on opposite ends of cross shaft 14 whichextends through and is fixed in the rear end portion of the main framestructure.

It is further to be understood that the forward end portion of the mainframe structure It) is supported from the track frames by spring meansof conventional form, not herein shown, and that the crawler tracks areadapted to be driven for the operation and steering of the bulldozer byconventional or suitable means. The crawler tracks are parallel with andare spaced laterally from opposite sides of the main frame structure,thus providing for the convenient use of the push arms between the mainframe and crawler tracks for the operative support of the bulldozerblade structure as presently will be described.

The push arms, as herein employed, comprise paired opposite side membersdesignated by reference numerals 15 and 15'; their use between thecrawler tracks and main frame structure being best shown in Fig. 1.Their use at the outside of the tracks will later be described inconnection with Fig. 8. The opposite push arms are alike in size andshape, except as required for their use at right and'left sides. Eachhas a downwardly curved rear end portion 15x, with a ball and socketform of mounting as designated at 18, whereby it is operatively fixed ona short stub axle 19 that extends laterally from a mounting plate 24that is bolted or otherwise rigidly fixed to the corresponding side ofthe main frame structure. These two push arms l51l5' are co-extensive,and their rear end mountings 18 are in transverse axial alignment whiletheir forward end portions terminate slightly beyond the forward end ofthe main frame structure, and are there formed with laterally widenedhead portions 15h, as best shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4.

At their forward ends, the two push arms, 15 and 15 are joined by thepreviously referred to forward end frame, which frame is designated inits entirety by ref- It is shown in Figs. 1 and 3 that this front endframe, which consists of a single element, extendssubstantially-horizontally between the forward ends .of the, two pusharms. At its opposite, ends, it is formed with rearwardly directedportions 25x of sub stantial lateral width, each of which, at itsrearward edge, is formed with laterally spaced sets of paired lugs2.6-26. The pairs of lugs 26-26 at each end of the frame, 251 arearranged to receive between them, laterally spaced single lugs 27 thatproject forwardly from the forward edge of the head end portion h of thecorresponding push'arm'. Pivot pins 28 are applied through theinterfitted lugs 2626 and 27. All pivot pins used in thus mounting thefront end frame are in axial alignment transversely of the tractor, andprovide for an up and down swinging adjustment of the front end frame onthe push arms through an arc of approximately ten degrees; the extent ofadjustment being indicated by the double pointed arrow 29 in Fig. 2.

In order that the hingedly mounted front end frame may be held at anyset position of adjustment relative to its supporting push arms,extendable and retractable links, or turnbuckles, are employed at itsoppositeendsfor making and securing the adjustments. It is shown inFigs. 1 and 3 that vertical brackets 30 are fixed rigidly to the forwardend portions of the push arms and that vertical brackets 31 are likewisefixed rigidly' to the rearwardly directed opposite end portions 25x ofthe front end frame; these brackets 3t and 31, as applied to these partsat opposite sides of the vehicle, being in alignment longitudinally ofthe push arms. Aligned brackets 30 and 31 are joined at their upper endsby turnbuckle links 32-32; each turnbuckle link being pivoted at itsends, as at 33 and 34, to the brackets. Thus, by extending or retractingboth turnbuckles equally, the front end frame can be inclined downwardlyor upwardly to various degrees according to the extent of adjustmentmade. Also, it will be understood that by extendingone turnbuckle andretracting or shortening the other, the angular relationship of each ofthe push arms and the front end frame will be so changed that the latterwill be caused to tilt laterally accordingly, that is, it will be causedto drop at one end and be lifted at its other end. This angular tiltingof the front end frame by adjustment of the turnbuckles can be effectedin either direction, and its tilting results in a like tilting of theblade structure which is rigidly attached thereto as presentlyexplained.

Before describing the blade structure and the means for and manner of.mounting it on the front end frame 25, it will be explained that theopposite side arms Its-L5 are adapted to be raised and lowered at theirforward ends to raise and lower the blade accordingly, and also to beheld in different positions of vertical adjustment. In the presentinstance this arm adjustment is effected by means of paired hydrauliccylinders 4tl4tl that are applied to opposite sides of the power unit.However, it is to be understood that this adjustment can also be made byany of the well known cable lifts without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

It is shown in Fig. 2 that each cylinder is fixed by means of a pivotalmounting 41 to a member rigidly associated with the upper forward endportion of the main frame structure It), and extends downwardly andforwardly therefrom. Each cylinder has a piston rod 42 extended from itslower end pivotally fixed as at 43, to the upper end portion of avertical bracket 44 that is rigidly fixed to the forward end of thecorresponding push arm. Conventional means may be employed for theapplication of hydraulic pressure medium to the cylinders to control theraising, lowering and the holding of the position of the push arms. Asan example of such conventional means which may be adapted to thepresent use, reference is directed to the hydraulic system disclosed inUnited States Patent No. 2,125,481 in which hydraulic connectionsbetween the hydraulic cylinders at opposite sides are provided in orderto permit compensating adjustment of the opposite side arms when atilting 4 adjustment, is made through the mediacy of the turnbuckleconnections.

The blade structure as employed with the present equipment is designatedin its entirety by reference numeral 5t). It comprises the transverselydirected, curved mold board plate Slthat extends to the full length ofthe blade structure and which is equipped along its lower longitudinaledge with the cutting edge on blade 52. The back of the plate 51 isequipped with the spaced upper and lower longitudinally extendingreinforcing channel beams 53 and 54 as seen in Figs. 2 and 5, and also,at its ends, it is equipped with vertical flanges '55. Fixed to thebrace. beams 53 and154 as applied to the back side of the bladestructure, near, its opposite ends, are paired and vertically spacedbrackets Sit-58 and extending lengthwise of the plate 51, between thepairs of brackets 58-58 are vertically spaced beams 59-59.

The pairs of brackets 58-48 extend substantially rearward of the, moldboard plate 51 and those of each pair are .so vertically spaced asto-adapt them to receive between them the corresponding end portion ofthe front end frame, as has been illustrated in, Fig. 2. These paired,

brackets are formed in their rearward end portions. with verticallyaligned holes 60, and in their forward portions with verticallyalignedholes 61 as noted in Fig. 4. The

holes 64). are adapted to be registered with holes 62 formed verticallythrough the front end frame 25 to reeive securing bolts as presentlyexplained.

Also, it is to be understood that the two vertically spaced beams 59-59.that extend between the brackets at opposite ends of the bladestructure, are so spaced as to receive the somewhat forwardly crownedcentral position of the front end frame between them as has been shownin Fig. 2. These beams 59-59 have holes 66 formed therethrough invertical alignment, for registering with holes 67 in the front end frameto receive, securing bolts 63 therethrough as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In order that the blade structure 58 may be moved from that neutral orstraight across position of use, as seen in Fig. 1, to angular positionsacross the line of travel of the machine, for example, to a positioncorresponding to that in which it has been illustrated in Fig. 3, theattaching bolts 54 at its opposite ends are first withdrawn. Also, thebolt 68 which is at that side of the tractor away from which the bladeis to be angled, iswithdrawn. The blade structure will then be pivotallyattached to the front end frame only by the pivot bolt ea which is atthat side toward which the blade is to be angled. The blade structure isthen swung about this rcmaining pivot bolt to the predetermined angularposition in which it is to be fixed. To make this swinging possible, theforward edges of the front end frame, along its opposite ends, areangled rearwardly as at 25a in Fig. 4.

For iigidly fixing the blade structure 25 in an angular position of use,a bracing strut, designated in Fig. 3 by reference numeral 70, isextended between the forwardly swung end portion of the blade structureand the corresponding end portion of the front end frame; this struthaving vertically spaced ears 7171 at its rear end designed to receivethe forward edge portion of the frame member between them. The ears havevertically aligned holes 72 adapted to be registered with the hole 62 inthat end of the frame to receive a securing bolt as shown at 74. At itsforward end the strut has a hole 75 formed vertically therethroughregistrable with the aligned holes 69 of the corresponding brackets 58to receive a securing bolt 73. At its rearward end, the blade structuremay then be additionally fixed to the front end frame by passing asecuring bolt 79 through the vertically aligned holes 61 in the brackets58 and the hole 62 formed through that end of the front end frame.

Assuming that the various parts are so constructed, and are assembled asdescribed, it will be understood that the opposite push arms can beraised and lowered merely by extending or retracting the piston rods ofthe cylinders of the hydraulic control system, and the blade structurewill be lifted or lowered accordingly.

If it is desired to pitch the blade to more or less extent relative tothe normal position in which it is shown in Fig. 2, the turnbuckleconnections are equally extended or retracted, as may be required toobtain the adjustment.

It it is desired to tilt the blade to one side or the other, asindicated in Fig. 6, this is effected by differentially adjusting theturnbuckle connections. For example, to retract the turnbuckle at oneside only will cause a downward movement of the blade at that end.However, for tilting in either direction, it is most practical to extendthe turnbuckle at one side of the vehicle and retract that at the otherside to a corresponding amount. The tilt that is effected is inaccordance with the extent of the adjustments made and will bedownwardly toward the side of the shorter turnbuckle connection. Thefact that the side arms have ball and socket mountings at their rearends makes this adjustment possible.

While I have illustrated the side arms as being applied to the bulldozerin those spaces that are between the main frame and crawler tracks, theymay likewise be used outside the track frames as in many of the presentday bulldozers, by slightly modifying the forward end structure of thearms. Such use of the push arms has been shown in Fig. 8, and it willtherein be observed that the widened head portions 15h extend inwardlyinstead of outwardly from the line of the push arms, and the front endframe is lengthened as may be required to accommodate its use to thisarrangement of the push arms. Otherwise, all parts are similar to thoseas used in the combination shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

What I claim as new is: 1. A bulldozer comprising a tractor having arigid frame structure, a pair of push arms pivotally fixed,respectively, at their rear ends to said frame structure at oppositesides ofthe tractor and extended forwardly therealong, a front end framedisposed forwardly and transversely of the tractor and pivotably mountedat its opposite ends on the forward ends of said push arms, anupstanding bracket on the forward end of each of said push arms, anupstanding bracket on said front end frame adjacen-t to and in pairedrelationship with each of said brackets on said push arms, a turnbuckleadjusting means interconnecting the paired upstanding brackets at theupper ends thereof and above the pivotal .mounting between said arms andsaid front end frame, paired, hydrau- =1ic cylinders respectivelysecured at one end to opposite sides of the tractor substantially abovesaid push arms and secured at their opposite ends to the upper ends ofthe brackets on said push arms, an earth moving blade structureadjustably mounted on said front end frame and disposed forwardlythereof, and a bracing strut removably secured between said blade andfront end frame at only one side thereof whereby the transverse angle ofsaid earth moving blade may be altered in relationship to said front endframe.

2. The bulldozer recited in claim 1 including crawler tracks spaced fromopposite sides of said frame structure and said push arms beingpositioned between said frame structure and said tracks.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,084,690 Knapp June 22, 1937 2,125,481 Allin Aug. 2, 1938 2,290,477Magee July 21, 1942' 2,365,677 Burns Dec. 26, 1944 2,452,774 LeTourneauNov. 2, 1948 2,485,407 Peterson Oct. 18, 1949 2,529,124 Austin Nov. 7,1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 819,249 Germany Oct. 31, 1951

